Sunday, January 31, 2016

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Triple Flares, Red and Leopard Go Shopping, and Cowgirl on the Town

I hope everyone's having a fun weekend - mine's been a lovely mix of social and not-so-social, gearing up for a busy week (and weekend ahead).

Friday's outfit. I worked late, getting my work's annual stair challenge ready for the start on Monday. I'm on the orange team, so I worked lots of shades of orange into my outfit for the breakfast launch Friday morning.

I'm wearing a vintage slip underneath this, but it's history - it twisted and rode up under the dress all day. Not keeping an item of clothing that annoys me!

I shopped for about 4 hours, visiting 3 different thrift stores.

Most of the time I had my leather jacket on.

Cross-body bag for easy browsing, and thin gloves get tucked into my pockets.

The stuff:

The shoes are history, off to the giveaway pile! Although a very comfortable rounded kitten heel, there's no padding on the front of the foot, and I could feel every bump of the pavement. By the end of the day, my poor feet were killing me! Bummer, but I only paid $8.50 for them and wore them 3 times. I'm okay with that cost-per-wear.

Vizzini hates when we go out.

"Come rub my tum!"

He gets very needy when we are out - he's very demanding.

I did have a good shopping day, despite my sore feet. My first stop was the St. Vincent de Paul, where I found this lovely t-shirt fabric dress.

I was in the mood to match things to my hair, and this dress is both comfy and flattering.

Plus, a good price!

$10.00 for this dress by Jackpot. And of course, that ribbon got cut off right away - it's only there to help the dress stay on the hanger.

I spent a good 90 minutes in the WIN (Women in Need) Warehouse store, having a really good look at everything. I had seen these shoes last time I was in, and tried them on.

I actually don't own a pair of navy shoes, and the wedge is a really comfy height. Also, beads one the toes!

They were only $16.95, and are barely worn.

The brand is Go Fresh, which I've never heard of.

I always check out the belt section. I am a sucker for a nice leather belt.

I like how the separate section is fully adjustable, to get the belt just the right size.

This was only $3.00.

I'm sure it would have been more if it had a label or tag on it, but the quality looks really nice.

I might have gasped out loud when I saw this black and white polka dot blouse.

Hello, 1996! I absolutely loved this shoulder cut-out design when it first came around in the mid-90s - I owned a white shirt like this that I wore with high-waisted wide-leg brown trousers. It was such a cool look. This shirt is very retro/pin-up looking.

It's made in Canada by Le Chateau, and was only $12.95.

I'm excited to wear it!

I'm always on the lookout for washable woven tops for layering and hot-weather pieces.

This one had matching shoulder pads - I cut them out right away.

It was made in Canada by Orchid.

Not bad for $5.95.

I hemmed and hawed about this sweater, but the rich amber colour and the awesome sleeves won me over. The sleeves have open knit-work that show one's arms all the way down.

I don't usually buy "fast fashion" brands like Forever 21, but for $6.00 I'll wear it a few times.

We have a bit of a peek-a-boo them here!

This sweater's "giraffe"-inspired pattern appealed to me.

I'm grooving on the bold grey and cream.

It's by Rino Rossi, a Canadian knitwear designer for the past 30 years.

It was $14.95, made in Hong Kong with lambswool and angora. Although it's been categorized as Vintage, I think it's probably from the 90s. Is 90s vintage? Dang, I feel old!

I have been on the lookout for a proper denim-ish pencil skirt forever! I've bought several of them over the years, and none have been quite right.

I like the high waist on this one, the light denim-y-cotton fabric, and the snaps along the pockets (the snaps undo to make the pockets bigger (yes!).

I also like the snap detailing on the back and the big industrial zipper down the full back of it.

It's by Tulle and was $13.95.

We'll see if this makes the cut and becomes The denim skirt.

You know I can't resist anything leather, so this purple suede shift dress was a gimme.

"Lick lick lick."

Seriously, Vizzini, do you have to do that here?

"What? I'm keeping an eye on you while I bathe."

The dress! Yes, it was only $24.95!

Geniune Danier Leather, and made in Canada! This will be a good dress for layering blouses under it.

From the WIN store, I strolled over to Flavour Upstairs and had a good browse. I scored with this 100% cashmere Lord & Taylor sweater.

I'm reluctantly embracing a turtleneck, but I can't resist the luxurious feel of cashmere.

Such a glorious bright blue! And for only $24.99? Awesome - these start at $200 new.

Regular readers will have noted that I've been on a pants thing lately. From only a couple of pairs of trousers, I'm up to almost a dozen pairs of pants! This is unprecedented in my wardrobe - easily the most pants I've ever owned.

I'm drawn to a slim cropped shape and bold colours and patterns.

For $12.99, this Topshop pair is mine.

I'm really excited to wear these.

I deliberated for a while over this skirt.

It's neoprene and not very well made, but I love the bright colours and the watercolour-inspired print.

For $14.99, I figured, "What the heck?" It'll be a spring-summer piece, but I'll try to work a winter outfit out of it.

I spotted this crazy tie in the menswear section.

It is a really short, flared, pointy tie!

It says "Has a love letter won your heart".

It's 100% silk and made in Italy by Escada by Margaretha Ley - that was a very big brand in the 80s, very chi-chi. This tie has a really fun vibe to it - L thinks that it's actually meant for a woman and I tend to agree.

I also found this hinged cuff in a basket of trinkets.

I have really small wrists, so finding a bracelet that fits me is a challenge.

Even nicer, is finding a stamp inside!

I have several Trifari pieces - this is likely from the late 70s/early 80s - it was only $5.00.

I'll leave you with this picture of Vizzini helping me as I hang and photograph all my new finds.

"Nom nom, clothing tags are tasty."

He's always underfoot, silly kitty.

After my day of shopping, I had a long nap then got ready for a friend's surprise 30th birthday party. She loves country music, so both L and I went cowboy (I forgot to take pictures of L, but he was a very cool cowboy rockstar).

Those first two outfits are soooo flattering and I love the flare !That red dress fits you so well and with the animal print it only gets better. Oh and the houndstooth trousers (insert happy dance here) I want to see you wear those so I can get inspired and wear mine again, they've been a little neglected.

Whew! That's some thrift haul! Hahaha! The cashmere sweater is divine, the blue is so blue, yes. Well, and your fit/flare opening, no wonder people raved. It's arresting. I have a really REALLY hard time finding patterned or colourful pants on thrift so I can appreciate when you stumble across something like those Topshops.

Fit and flare has been my MO for a long time; currently I am trying to switch to wearing more jeans and trousers. I am trying to find a new style story in a few ways--growing out my super short hair into a chin length bob is another of my projects. BUT--I find when I revert to a fit and flare skirt outfit, that is when I get the most comments on my outfit. I have been wondering if people like this very feminine look in general, or more specifically, on me? Is it what they are used to, and feel comfortable seeing me in? Is it because of my slightly pear shaped/long-torso/hourglass figure that is perhaps more conventionally flattered in a fit and flare shape? Is it because it is more conventionally feminine, and therefore makes me less powerful in a way? Part of the reason I am NOT wearing this silhouette is that my position at work is more of a leadership position now, and sleeker clothes in darker colors feels more reflective of the seriousness I am trying to feel and to project. I am feeling the need for lots of grey and black. . .

Anyway, thanks for letting me voice all those questions. As always, I admire your completely amazing outfits and your ability to score such treasures when you shop!!!!!!

That first outfit Sheila - well it's hardly surprising that your co-workers raved - it's sensational. This fit and flare is the best shape for you by far. Much as you always look fab, showing off your small waist like this is perfect. I adore that orange flowered skirt, and request that I'm considered when it comes to time for it to be re-housed. Anna

Comments are so incredibly special, and I love them and hug them and treasure them forever. Please feel free to tell me what you think! I try to respond to every one, so if you want to know what I said, tick that "Notify me" box and it'll ping your email!